To receive the Mayor's announcements and any apologies for absence.

The Mayor has invited Nicola Russell and Jessica Yung (Wirral’s Young Poet Laureate) to read out their selected poems before the start of the meeting.

The Mayor referred to the recent death of Mrs Gertrude ‘Robbie’ Roberts (wife of Alderman Glyn Roberts) Mayoress of Wallasey 1962/63, died 18 November 2010 and the Council stood in silent tribute to her memory.

The Mayor welcomed Jessica Yung (Wirral’s Young Poet Laureate) and Nico Russell who read out their poems, ‘Promise of Remembrance’ and ‘A British Heart’, respectively, before the start of the meeting.

The members of the Council are invited to consider whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

The members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at the meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest. The following declarations were made:

Councillor D Mitchell declared a prejudicial interest in respect of Motion 8 (Welfare Reforms) by virtue of having a member of his family in receipt of Social Security Benefits and left the chamber whilst this matter was considered.

Councillor P Reisdorf declared a personal interest in Motion 2 (Lib Dem Student Betrayal) by virtue of him being a full time student.

Councillor P Hayes declared a prejudicial interest in respect of Motion 8 (Welfare Reforms) by virtue of his employment and left the chamber whilst this matter was considered.

Councillor G Watt declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 8 (Welfare Reforms) by virtue of his daughter being in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance.

Councillor I Lewis declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 6 (Cruise Liner Terminals) by virtue of his employment.

To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, the Mayor received a petition submitted by Councillor G Ellis on behalf of 207 Hoylake residents requesting the Interim Director of Corporate Services to make immediate representations to the HSBC Bank requesting that the decision to close the Hoylake Branch be reconsidered.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting(s) of the Council held on 18 October and 30 November 2010.

The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 12 and 18 October and 30 November, 2010, had been circulated to members and it was –

Resolved – That the minutes be approved and adopted as a correct record.

It was moved by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Mitchell that,

“(1) Standing Order 5(3) be suspended and the order of business be varied so that the three questions from members of the public, for which notice had been given, be considered next and that Standing Order 11 be then suspended and question time be dispensed with.

(2) That the Objection to Cabinet minute 248 (9/12/10) ‘Budget Projections 2011-15’ be considered at item 5 on the agenda with the Notice of Motion, ‘Lib Dem Student Betrayal’ being considered as the fourth Notice of Motion.

(3) That during consideration of Cabinet minute 248 (9/12/10) ‘Budget Projections 2011-15’ and the associated Objection, the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules 2 (a) and (b) be suspended.

(4) That Standing Order 7(8) be applied from 8.30pm.”

The Leader of the Labour Group referred to legal advice which his Group had received contained in a letter which had been circulated to all Members and which concluded that the Council would be acting unlawfully if it were to approve Cabinet minute 248 (9/12/10) ‘Budget Projections 2011-15’.

It was then moved as an amendment by Councillor Foulkes, seconded by Councillor P Davies, that –

“The Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules 2 (a) and (b) be not suspended and the Notice of Motion, ‘Lib Dem Student Betrayal’ be considered as the second Notice of Motion.”

The Mayor then sought advice from the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management, who advised the Council that in his opinion the approval of Cabinet minute 248 (9/12/10) ‘Budget Projections 2011-15’ would not contravene the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules. However, if the Council suspended Procedure Rules 2 (a) and (b) there could be no question of the Council acting unlawfully.

The amendment was put and lost (24:40) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (40:24) (One abstention).

Resolved -

(1)  Standing Order 5(3) be suspended and the order of business be varied so that the three questions from members of the public, for which notice had been given, be considered next and that Standing Order 11 be then suspended and question time be dispensed with.

(2)  That the Objection to Cabinet minute 248 (9/12/10) ‘Budget Projections 2011-15’ be considered at item 5 on the agenda with the Notice of Motion, ‘Lib Dem Student Betrayal’ being considered as the fourth Notice of Motion.

(3)  That during consideration of Cabinet minute 248 (9/12/10) ‘Budget Projections 2011-15’ and the associated Objection, the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules 2 (a) and (b) be suspended.

(4)  That Standing Order 7(8) be applied from 8.30pm.

To deal with questions from councillors and from members of the public, in accordance with Standing Order 11.

Note: Questions from members of the public must be submitted in writing or by email by no later than 5.00pm on 6 December 2010.

(A) Mr A Elston, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question relating to road safety at Worcester Road:

“I was walking my dog. I was about to cross the road when a vehicle on the opposite side of the road on the service road turning circle, came up through the gap, across the pavement and onto the main road. The turning circle is next to Holy Cross Presbytery, could something be done here for instance for instance some bollards to prevent this happening again?”

Councillor Lesley Rennie, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services, in response thanked Mr Elston for his query regarding road safety on Worcester Road and went on to state, “As members are aware, Road Safety is a key priority for this Authority and we continue to make good progress in reducing the numbers of people injured on our roads.

I have raised the specific problem to which Mr Elston refers with the Director of Technical Services and I understand that the Road Safety Manager has visited Mr Elston to discuss his concerns.

It would appear that some irresponsible drivers are driving across a short section of footway to save themselves just a couple of seconds on their journey.

I understand that in the interest of continuing to protect pedestrians at this location the Director intends to introduce some minor physical measures to prevent this occurring, and that this is likely to be undertaken in the New Year.”

At 6.45pm, in accordance with Standing Order 16(2), the Mayor adjourned the meeting due to a general disturbance from the public gallery.

The meeting reconvened at 6.55pm.

(B) Mrs L Brace, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 11, submitted the following question on flytipping:

“For over a year, I have regularly reported flytipping in my neighbourhood in areas ranging from Bidston Hill, Flaybrick Cemetery to the roadsides. What’s dumped are items ranging from furniture, tyres, builders’ waste to domestic rubbish.

In some cases, this rubbish has been deliberately set alight burning parts of Bidston Hill to the ground. Having this flytipping removed must cost Wirral Council a lot of money. What will be done to catch those involved and deal with the backlog of rubbish?”

Councillor Lesley Rennie, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services, in response thanked Mrs Brace for her query regarding flytipping and went on to state, “During the past year there have been a number of fly-tipping incidents in the Bidston Hill, Flaybrick Cemetery locations. These have ranged from domestic waste to furniture and on occasions commercial type waste including frying oil.

Where appropriate, i.e. if the waste is likely to contain personal information, officers have investigated these incidents and in all cases arrangements have been made to have the waste removed. Unfortunately none of the incidents have produced any evidence sufficient to identify an offender. In consideration of the disparate location, frequency and nature of the fly tips it is likely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To consider matters referred to the Council for determination. The relevant minutes are attached; copies of the related reports can be provided for Council members on request.

(i)  Minute 199 (Cabinet – 4/11/2010) Medium Term Financial Strategy (see Original Summons)

(ii)  Minute 200 (Cabinet – 4/11/2010) Capital Strategy (see Original Summons)

(iii)  Cabinet 9 December 2010 - Wirral's Future: Be Part Of It: Task Force Options and Recommendations

(draft minute referral attached (pages 1-3) - report attached to the Original Summons)

(iv) Cabinet 9 December 2010 – Proposed Constitutional Changes: Petitions

(draft referral minute (page 21) and revised Annex B (pages 23-25) attached - report attached to the Original Summons)

(v)  Cabinet 9 December 2010 - Calculation of Council Tax Base

(draft referral minute (page4) attached - report attached to the Original Summons)

(vi)  Cabinet 9 December 2010 - Provision for Inflation 2011-12

(draft referral minute (page 21) attached - report attached to the Original Summons)

(vii)  Any other matters referred to the Council by Cabinet at its meeting commencing on 9 December 2010

-  Capital Programme and Financing 2011-15 (draft report (pages 27-42) and referral minute (page 4) attached)

-  Budget Projections 2011-15 (draft report (pages 43-49)   referral minute (page 4)  attached)

(viii)  Cabinet 14 October 2010 Wirral Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update and Affordable Housing Viability Assessment – Key Findings and Policy Implications for Wirral  ( report (pages 57-61) and  referral minute (page 63) attached).

(ix)  Licensing Act 2003 Committee – 8 November 2010 - Draft Statement of Licensing Policy  (report (pages 65-123) and minute (page 63) attached).

In accordance with Standing Order 7(1) a number of matters were submitted for approval by the Council.

On a motion by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Rennie it was –

Resolved – That the following matters be approved:

  (i)  Minute 199, Cabinet (4/11/10) Medium Term Financial Strategy.

  (ii)  Minute 200, Cabinet (4/11/10) Capital Strategy. 

 (iii)  Minute 242, Cabinet (9/12/10) Wirral's Future: Be Part Of It: Task Force Options and Recommendations.

 (iv)  Minute 254, Cabinet (9/12/10) Proposed Constitutional Changes: Petitions.

  (v)  Minute 246, Cabinet (9/12/10) Calculation of Council Tax Base.

 (vi)  Minute 253, Cabinet (9/12/10) Provision for Inflation 2011-12.

(vii)  Minute 245, Cabinet (9/12/10) Capital Programme and Financing 2011-15.

(viii)  Minute 171, Cabinet (14/10/10) Wirral Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update and Affordable Housing Viability Assessment – Key Findings and Policy Implications for Wirral.

 (ix)  Minute 12, Licensing Act 2003 Committee (8/11/10) Draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

Having suspended the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules 2 (a) and (b) Councillor Green moved and it was seconded by Councillor Rennie, that –

“Minute 248, Cabinet (9/12/10) Budget Projections 2011-15, be approved.”

It was moved as an objection by Councillor Foulkes and seconded by Councillor P Davies, that –

“(1)  This Council believes that the Cabinet resolution is in breach of the Council’s Constitution and that this breach could render the whole budget making process illegal, including the final budget passed at budget Council in March.

(2)  Council therefore urges all members to step back from this position, follow the Council’s Constitution, and, under the terms of paragraph 2a and b of the Budget and Policy Framework, seek all party approval on those parts of the resolution where it may be found and refer all other matters to Special Overview and Scrutiny Committee/s, (to be called with due urgency), according both to the Constitution and to the custom and practice of this Council.

(3)  Council notes that:

·  The proposals contained within this resolution total £48million.

·  There has not been a single report to Cabinet on EVRs/Voluntary Severance, on which posts will be affected, or on what restructuring is necessary to protect services.

·  Restructuring costs have not been netted off the EVR figures,

·  No plans are presented to Council on what that restructuring will be, or what its cost will be.

·  There have been no reports to Cabinet detailing the £10.7m savings from the Strategic Change programme and their consequences.

·  The £10.7m is not broken down in the resolution.

·  This £10.7m has apparently been delivered despite claims from the Leadership earlier in the year that there was only half a million deliverable from the programme.

·  This was in direct contradiction to a draft report received by the Labour Leader prior to the elections, discussed with the DA, which indicated the potential for £15m savings.

·  The Interim Chief Executive used his powers to deny call in from the last Cabinet of the 9.5% reduction in fees to independent care home providers.

·  A number of staff who have not applied for EVR or voluntary severance will be put on the ‘at risk’ register because the services they work in will close following the decision of this Council meeting.

·  No prior scrutiny of these closures has taken place to investigate the consequences for service users or staff, or to consider potential timescales.

·  The budget proposals set out in this resolution which are not detailed for further consideration will be actioned at the conclusion of the Council meeting, including the authority for 306 people to leave the Council by the end of December, a further 100 or so to leave by June, and, according to a letter from the Leader of the Council sent to staff at 3am on Friday morning, a further 700 staff who were previously thought to be on a “maybe” list pending details of possible restructurings.

(4)  Council further notes that the intention of Scrutiny is to examine proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

(a)  The following matters, determined by the Cabinet, are drawn to the Council’s attention in accordance with the Constitution (copies of the related reports can be provided for Council members on request).

(i)  Minute 224 (25/11/2010) Birkenhead High School for Girls Academy – capital Works, Contract Award and Final Business Case Submission (waiving of call-in).

(ii)  Minute 234 (25/11/2010) Change in VAT Rate January 2011 (waiving of call-in).

(iii)  Cabinet (9/12/10) Bidston Moss Viaduct Update and Docks Link Roads Resurfacing – acceptance of a single tender reported to Council pursuant to Contract Procedure Rule 5.2. (report (pages 127-133) enclosed and draft minute (page 126).

(iv) Cabinet (9/12/10) Contracts for Personal Suppport (waiving of call-in)  (report (pages 135-146 enclosed) and draft minute (page 125).

(b) Petition : To Help Improve Birkenhead Council Kennels (see Original Summons)

On a motion by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Rennie, it was -

Resolved - That the following matters be noted, as required by the Constitution:

(a) (i) Minute 224, Cabinet (25/11/10) Birkenhead High School for Girls Academy – Capital Works, Contract Award and Final Business Case Submission (Reason: waiving of call-in).

(ii) Minute 234, Cabinet (25/11/10) Change in VAT Rate January 2011 (Reason: waiving of call-in).

(iii) Minute 259, Cabinet (9/12/10) Contracts for Personal Support (Reason: waiving of call-in).

(iv) Minute 260, Cabinet (9/12/10) Bidston Moss Viaduct Update and Docks Link Roads Resurfacing (Reason: compliance with Contract Procedure Rule 5.2).

(b) Petition: To Help Improve Birkenhead Council Kennels – deferred to the February meeting of Council to enable the petitioner to attend.

Pursuant to Standing Order 5(1)(m), and in accordance with Standing Order 5(3), to consider written comments, objections or amendments to minutes submitted under Standing Order 7(2), together with those motions, submitted under item 9 above, that the Council agrees to debate at this meeting and any minority reports submitted in accordance with Standing Order 35(4).

The matters listed for debate in accordance with Standing Order 5(2)(m) were dealt with as indicated in minutes 69 to 76 below.

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

(1)  Council believes that caring for vulnerable adults with learning and physical difficulties is one of the most important functions of a fair and responsible society.

(2)  Council thanks the Care Quality Commission for their report exposing the failures within the Council’s provision of adult social services.

(3)  Council believes that this failure to protect our most vulnerable residents is a shameful failure of responsibility of senior Labour Councillors and that, by this failure, Wirral is reportedly the poorest-performing adult social services department in the country.

(4)  Council welcomes the Action Plan being implemented by the Interim Director of Adult Social Services to correct the failings of the past and gives its backing to the measures being undertaken by him, and the new Administration.

(5)  Council thanks the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member and the members of the Interim Executive Board who meet regularly to ensure the changes identified by the CQC are implemented.

(6)  Council welcomes the contribution made to the consultation ‘Wirral’s Future’ by adults and users of adult social services, their carers and families and voluntary, community and faith organisations.

(7)  Council calls upon the former Labour Leader of the Council and the former Cabinet Member for Social Care and Inclusion to apologise to Council and the people of Wirral for their abject failure in the conduct of their responsibilities.

(8)  Council believes this failure to deliver care and failure to apologise since publication of the CQC Report, demonstrates that Wirral Labour is incapable of caring for the most vulnerable.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Moira McLaughlin

Seconded by Councillor Brian Kenny

Delete all after paragraph (1). Insert:

(2)  Council recognises that there were failures in the provision of services for those with Learning Disabilities, and that the then Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and the then Leader of the Council both apologised publicly to service users for those failures and welcomed the recommendations of the Care Quality Commission.

(3)  Council recognises that criticisms centred around a failure to modernise at speed those services which are more traditional, such as day services, and on a continued reliance on residential care, rather than more community based alternatives.

(4)  Council believes that, while this has been recognised as a failure to provide the most up to date and stimulating alternatives, it arose from an attempt to tailor the pace of change to one which maintains the confidence of this vulnerable group of users and carers, and recognises the reasons why some are fearful and resistant to change. Council accepts that this slower progress has led to an over-protective, segregated service, rather than modern, integrated provision" 

(5)  Council further recognises that changes of the nature recommended by the Care Quality Commission will not be easy to achieve quickly precisely because they challenge the traditional way of providing services which users and their families and carers are familiar with and feel safe with, and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

Proposed by Councillor Peter Reisdorf

Seconded by Councillor Gill Gardiner

(1)  Council applauds the success of the “Incredible Edible Todmorden” project and the work that they have done with Calderdale Council and other public bodies to make available land in their area in order to increase the amount of local produce grown and eaten in the town, improve sustainability and self sufficiency and promote healthy eating.

(2)  Council, therefore, requests the appropriate officers:

(a)  Make contact with the “Incredible Edible Todmorden” Group to learn more and assess whether such a project is feasible for Wirral communities.

(b)  Review local funding sources, such as that available to local area forums, to assess whether any financial support could be available for local groups to progress such a community project if sufficient interest exists.

(c)  Identify and engage with community leaders with experience of growing food and gardening who may wish to support such a project.

(d)  Support any interested groups wishing to develop an “Incredible Edible Wirral” project to engage with residents, area forums, schools, social landlords, employers and other groups and organisations as may be appropriate, to identify sites that may be suitable for growing local food through community action.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Resolved (unanimously) – That the motion be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Simon Holbrook

(1)  Council notes that the ‘Wirral’s Future – Be a part of It’ consultation generated more responses than any previous Council consultation – 2,972 on paper and 2,687 online, including 276 employers. 

(2)  Council thanks:

(a)  All residents who participated and gave their views.

(b)  The community groups and employers who hosted and welcomed visits from staff, as part of the 123 events and activities held across Wirral.

(c)  The independent members of the four task forces, from a wide variety of organisations, who gave their time, freely and willingly.

(d)  The members of the Consultation Project Team.

(e)  The staff who engaged with the public at roadshows, events and meetings and who collated the responses from the public.

(3)Council requests that:

(a)  the results of the consultation form the basis of a refreshed Corporate Plan, informed by the people’s priorities as expressed during the consultation. 

(b)  an annual consultation is carried out, to review all services and to enable residents, employers, Council employees, voluntary, faith and community groups to influence future Council policy and that the process for 2011/12 should start in January.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Adrian Jones

Delete existing text and replace with the following:

Council believes that the ‘Wirral’s Future – Be a part of it’ consultation was fundamentally flawed for the following reasons:

1.  It failed to go through the Council’s democratic procedures. Key decisions were taken by the Leader of the Council and announcements were made via press releases;

2.  The Administration chose to ignore completely the Council’s overview and scrutiny committees which were designed to undertake this type of work;

3.  Members of the Task Forces were selected by the leadership, with no opportunity by opposition members to influence who sat on these bodies or the recommendations they put forward;

4.  The questionnaire used in the exercise was of poor quality – it was too long and complicated; it used leading questions on issues such as the out-sourcing of Council services; and many of the questions contained confusing and ambiguous wording;

5.  The response to the questionnaire represents only 1.8% of Wirral’s population;

6.  No evidence has been produced which demonstrates that all on-line versions of the questionnaire were completed by Wirral residents and that multiple copies of the questionnaire were not completed by one individual;

As a result of the above, Council agrees that it would be extremely unwise to base decisions about the budget and a new Corporate Plan on the outcome of this flawed consultation.

Council asks the Interim Chief Executive to report to a future Cabinet meeting on how a more rigorous, robust and representative consultation process can be carried out in the future.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and lost (24:40) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Chris Meaden

(1)  This Council condemns the decision of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government to cut 80 per cent of teaching funding for universities and to ask the next generation to shoulder the bill through a tripling of tuition fees.

(2)  Council shares the anger of thousands of students at the actions of the Liberal Democrats whose Leader and several MPs, prior to the general election, signed a pledge to scrap university tuition fees for all students taking their first degree, and has now reneged on this promise by agreeing to treble these fees.

(3)  Council also condemns the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance which enabled many students from lower and middle income families to stay on at school or College after the age of 16 with a view to obtaining ’A’Levels or their equivalent and access higher education.

(4)  Council notes that these cuts will reduce social mobility and create a system in which only those young people from affluent families will be able to go to university.

(5)  Council therefore supports the campaign by students and others to stop these cuts and to develop a funding system which adequately resources universities, rejects any moves to make higher education elitist, and provides positive opportunities for young people to apply to study at university.

(6)  Council calls on all members of the Council to support this motion and thereby show solidarity with the youth of Wirral.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Peter Reisdorf

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Delete all and replace with:

(1)  Council notes that our Universities must be fully funded if they are to continue to provide high quality education to students.

(2)  Council believes it was a mistake for the Labour government to introduce tuition fees in 1998 despite a Manifesto commitment not to and furthermore believes it was a mistake for the Labour Government to introduce £3,000 per year top up fees in 2004.

(3)  Council notes that in 2009, the then Labour Government commissioned the Browne Report, because their funding policy had failed to produce enough resources for universities.

(4)  Council believes that the Government's proposals improve on the system introduced by the Labour Government in a number of ways, including:

·  Increasing the repayment threshold from £15,000 to £21,000

·  Ending upfront fees for part-time students

·  More generous grants for lowest income students

·  Ensuring all students will repay less per month than they currently pay

·  Under the scheme, any student eligible for free school meals who is accepted for a place at university would have one year’s fees paid by the state

(5)  However, Council believes that instead of increasing top up fees, all tuition fees should be phased out so that students are not penalised with thousands of pounds worth of debt for entering into higher education.

(6)  Council also believes that MPs should vote against any increase in tuition fees.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

Proposed by Councillor Ann Bridson

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Council notes:

(1)  The success of the cruise liner day visits to the Liverpool Pier Head.

(2)  The restrictions, relating to EU competition rules arising from the use of public grant given to support the development of that same facility as a turnaround destination, currently preventing the Liverpool cruise liner terminal from handling ship turnarounds.

(3)  The existence of the facility to operate as turnaround port from Langton Dock, but the inadequacy and impracticality of that facility for cruise ships for docking and embarkation; and the absurdity of preventing the use of the Pier Head for ship turnarounds under competition given the close proximity of Langton Dock.

(4)  That each cruise ship turnaround generates an estimated £150,000 – money that would be spent across the city-region area.

(5)  The enthusiasm of cruise operators, such as Bibby Line and Fred Olsen, for the turnaround restrictions to be lifted.

Council welcomes:

(6)  The Liverpool Daily Post ‘Get on Board’ campaign, calling for the licence to be granted for cruise turnarounds.

(7)  The support for the campaign for a turnaround licence from Wirral MPs, including Esther McVey and Angela Eagle.

Therefore, Council,

Requests the Interim Chief Executive, in consultation with city-region colleagues to write to the Transport Minister, Theresa Villiers, urging the restrictions to be challenged leading to the granting of a license for the Liverpool Cruise Liner terminal to operate as a turnaround port.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Chris Blakeley

Seconded by Councillor Les Rowlands

In paragraph (7) delete all after ‘Wirral MPs’ and add ‘and MEPs’

In last paragraph delete ‘Theresa Villiers’ and insert ‘Mike Penning’

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Steve Foulkes

Seconded by Councillor Phil Davies

Amend paragraph (7) to read:

(7)  The support for the campaign for a turnaround licence, from the four Wirral MPs, Esther McVey, Angela Eagle, Frank Field and Alison McGovern.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

Councillor Bridson agreed to accept the amendments as a composite friendly amendment and the amended motion was put and carried (64:0)

Resolved (unanimously) -

Council notes:

(1)  The success of the cruise liner day visits to the Liverpool Pier Head.

(2)  The restrictions, relating to EU competition rules arising from the use of public grant given to support the development of that same facility as a turnaround destination, currently preventing the Liverpool cruise liner terminal from handling ship turnarounds.

(3)  The existence of the facility to operate as turnaround port from Langton Dock, but the inadequacy and impracticality of that facility for cruise ships for docking and embarkation; and the absurdity of preventing the use of the Pier Head for ship turnarounds under competition given the close proximity of Langton Dock.

(4)  That each cruise ship turnaround generates an estimated £150,000 – money that would be spent across the city-region area.

(5)  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

Proposed by Councillor Andrew Hodson

Seconded by Councillor Ian Lewis

(1)  Council notes that, instead of ending ‘Boom and Bust’ Labour brought us to the brink of bankruptcy. They doubled the national debt and left Britain with the biggest budget deficit in the G20. We are spending £120 million every single day just to pay off the interest on Labour's debt. This is Labour's legacy.

(2)  Ed Miliband and Alan Johnson were at the heart of the Labour Government that created this mess and they have no credible plan to clean it up. They disagree over whether to have a graduate tax or not, whether to have a 50p tax or not and whether unions should elect Labour's leader or not. We know what they are against but we don't know what they're for.

(3)  If we listened to Labour, our debt would be almost £100 billion higher by the end of the Parliament and we would be paying £4 billion more in debt interest alone by the time of the next election - money that goes to foreign creditors to help pay for their schools and hospitals rather than our own. Their approach would take us back to the brink of bankruptcy - that would mean less growth, less investment and fewer jobs.

(4)  Council further notes that, since losing control of the Council, the Labour Party has failed to offer solutions to the challenges arising from their Government’s failure and, indeed, have failed to recognise that some of these challenges even exist.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Anne McArdle

Seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Delete all existing text and replace with the following:

(1)  Council acknowledges that the global recession was caused by the failure of the sub-prime mortgage market in America and the actions of the banks and bankers who took unacceptable risks in the pursuit of short term financial gain. It if had not been for the actions of the Labour Government in bailing out Northern Rock and subsequently other banks, then the financial stability of this country would have been very close to collapse.

(2)  Council should recognise that Labour’s real legacy is one of new schools, of new hospitals, of high employment, low interest rates, pensioners lifted out of the poverty they were in after 18 years of a Tory Government.

(3)  The Labour Government acknowledged that the deficit had to be tackled, but not in a way that would asset strip the public sector, causing the loss of thousands of jobs, and decimating services to the people of the Wirral.

(4)  Council further notes that the Labour Group has, since May, repeatedly asserted the urgent need to address the ever increasing budget shortfall and that the ConDem administration have been found wanting in their strategy to tackle the shortfall, preferring instead to govern by press release.

(5)  Council notes that the country’s finances were clearly in better shape than the Coalition Government claimed as they have recently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Proposed by Councillor Pat Glasman

Seconded by Councillor Adrian Jones

(1)  Council recognises that the people of Wirral take a keen interest in the preservation of their coastal environment. Council therefore condemns the way in which a commercial cockling operation was sprung on the people of Wirral without any prior consultation. Council notes that discussions started as early as June this year, that a Conservative Councillor is the Vice Chair of the North West and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee and that Conservative Councillors were fully aware of the preparations taking place from November 5th.

(2)  Council believes this is yet another shabby example where the Conservative/Liberal Democrat administration have failed to live up to their own much stated commitment to consultation and therefore apologises to the people of Wirral for their failure to consult on an environmentally sensitive commercial enterprise as significant as this.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor David Elderton

Seconded by Councillor Ian Lewis

(1)  delete all after 'any prior consultation' and replace with, Council notes that Wirral's nominated members were given insufficient notice of the decision to open the beds at Leasowe for commercial activity and notes the apology to Councillor Denis Knowles from the Sea Fisheries Committee. 

(2)  Council notes that, while the local authority has no jurisdiction or legal powers to prevent such a decision in future, believes that decisions affecting local communities should be made with greater involvement, engagement and consultation with local people and communities.

(3)  Council therefore welcomes the abolition of the Sea Fisheries Committee and the establishment of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, with effect from April 2011, and is pleased to note the greater role for local people, including a nominated Member. 

(4)  Council thanks the Council staff and contractors; the members of the Friends of the North Wirral Coastal Park and those local cocklers who collected litter for their work to rectify the damage caused by inconsiderate commercial cocklers at Leasowe.

(5)  Council welcomes the action to improve communication between the various parties involved and instructs the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Shadow Chairman and Chief Executive of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority to visit the coast at Leasowe and to meet with members, officers and community representatives.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (40:24) (One abstention).

The motion, as amended, was then put and carried (40:24) (One abstention).

Resolved (40:24:1) –

(1)  Council recognises that the people of Wirral take a keen interest in the preservation of their coastal environment. Council therefore condemns the way in which a commercial cockling operation was sprung on the people of Wirral without any prior consultation. Council notes that Wirral's nominated members were given insufficient notice of the decision to open the beds at Leasowe for commercial activity and notes the apology to Councillor Denis Knowles from the Sea Fisheries Committee.

(2)  Council notes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Proposed by Councillor Simon Holbrook

Seconded by Councillor Bob Moon

(1)  Council welcomes the Coalition Government's proposals for simplification and integration of the current complex system of benefits and tax credits and the replacement of a range of working-age welfare benefits with a "Universal Credit" from 2013 onwards.

(2)  Council believes that this will remove the "benefits trap", supporting people in the transition from benefits to work by ensuring benefits are tapered and that it will:

(a)  Simplify and amalgamate the main welfare benefits into one single system;

(b)  Ensure that work always pays; and

(c)  Alleviate poverty by boosting take-up and encouraging job market participation.

(3)  Council further believes that:

(a)  This policy is about supporting people, especially those on the lowest incomes.

(b)  The Universal Credit will streamline and simplify the system so that people will more easily know where they will stand if they take a job;

(c)  With a single benefit, take-up will improve, helping to reduce in-work poverty;

(d)  Combating high withdrawal rates of benefits as someone enters work or increases hours will increase people’s ability to change their circumstances without ending up with less money at the end of the week;

(e)  People will be able to keep more of their wage before the benefit taper kicks in;

(f)  There will be no cash losers – where the new, simpler system would produce a lower entitlement than the present system, current recipients will be protected;

(g)  That the use of sanctions will act as a deterrent and that the most severe sanctions are intended only to be applied in exceptional circumstances where people systematically and repeatedly abuse the system;

(4)  Therefore, Council calls on officers to work with partners to support residents in the transition to the proposed new system of working age benefits by ensuring that relevant information and advice on the new system and how they will be affected will be available through the call centre and one stop shop network.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Ron Abbey

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Whittingham

Delete everything and replace with the following:

(1)  This Council welcomes the intention of any reform which would enable more people on benefits to access work easily. However, it believes that the Coalition Government’s welfare reforms are destined to fail because they are not accompanied by measures which would create jobs. Instead the Government has already announced in the CSR that 490,000 public sector jobs will be lost and this is likely to result in an equivalent number of job losses in the private sector.

(2)  Council does not believe that there will be no cash losers, particularly as the current Housing Benefit will form part of the Universal Credit in future and the government has already introduced a cap on Housing Benefit which will severely disadvantage those living in high rent areas and cause severe hardship to many families.

(3)  Council further deplores the government plans for fixed term tenancies for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive nominations, in accordance with Standing Order 25(5), in respect of any proposed changes in the membership of the Cabinet and committees, and to approve nominations for appointments to outside organisations including:

(a)  Outside Body Appointment

New Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA’s) will be established on 1 April, 2011 to replace the current Sea Fisheries Committees.

The Council is requested to appoint a representative to serve on the Shadow IFCA until 31 March 2011. The Council’s current representatives on the SFC are Councillor D Knowles (Vice-Chair) and Councillor H Smith.

(b)  the item relating to West Kirby Charity appointments has been deferred at the request of the Trustees.

The Council was requested to deal with the following appointments:

Outside Bodies

Environment

New Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) to be established on 1 April, 2011, Shadow IFCA established until 31 March, 2011 and the Council was requested to appoint one representative.

It was moved by Councillor A Jones and seconded by Councillor S Foulkes, that –

Councillor H Smith be appointed to this body.

It was moved by Councillor C Blakeley and seconded by Councillor J Green, that –

Councillor D Knowles be appointed to this body.

A vote was taken, Councillor H Smith receiving 24 votes and Councillor D Knowles receiving 30, Councillor D Knowles was therefore appointed as the Council’s representative.

Housing and Community Safety

Beechwood and Ballantyne Community Housing Association – Board

Councillor D Realey to replace Councillor S Whittingham

Social Care and Inclusion

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust – Governors

Interim Director of Adult Social Services, H Cooper, to replace former Director, J Webb, as deputy.

Corporate Resources

West Kirby Charities

The appointment to this body was deferred at the request of the trustees.

Resolved – That the appointments be approved.